The people have spoken and the company has listened. After a year without the 5.7-liter Hemi, the Ram 1500 regains its popular V8 power for the 2026 model year. Last month, the Ram Trucks brand invited select media to the Stellantis Chelsea Proving Grounds to test the newest Hemi-powered half-ton pickups, offering a variety of tests that showcase the advantages of the naturally aspirated V8. This included some time towing a classic Ram pickup, a traditional on-road test drive and some time on an autocross course – all of which reminded us why the Hemi is so loved.
The 5.7-liter Hemi returns to the 2026 Ram 1500 lineup with the same specifications of 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque as the 2024 models. The standard output 3.0-liter Hurricane I6 offers 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque, but those buyers who demand the Hemi prefer the driving dynamics and the sound of the naturally aspirated V8. While the Hurricane is not like the old turbocharged engines that take a few seconds to build boost, there is no question that the twin turbo I6 doesn’t offer the initial hit of power on the low end of the powerband.
The on-road drive with the 2026 Ram 1500 Big Horn powered by the 5.7-liter Hemi showcased how well the naturally aspirated V8 hits from a stop or when rolling at low speed and low RPM. When you hammer the throttle of a Hemi truck while stopped, it immediately spins the rear tires without any hesitation. When cruising at low speed, when you floor it and the transmission shifts down quickly, the Hemi immediately provides that hit of power that you expect from an NA Hemi.
When the steering wheel buttons are used to limits gears to 3rd gear, when rolling along and hitting the throttle at lower speeds, the Hemi puts power to the wheels much more emphatically than the Hurricane. The Hurricane pulls dramatically harder through the mid-range, but there is no question that the Hemi offers that unique pop that can only come from a naturally aspirated V8.
The on-road drive provided plenty of opportunities to flex the Hemi muscles, but the autocross exercise let the journalists in attendance really hammer the 2026 Ram 1500 in a safe, confined environment. While autocross testing a stock Crew Cab, four-wheel-drive pickup that is not a performance model might seem like a curious move, there are few forms of driving that require loads of instant-on, low end torque.
There was a chance to use all of the power on a hand launch to start the run, followed by a series of tight turns that required testers to slow way down, then accelerate hard out of the corner into a short straightaway. This exercise also showed how easily the Hemi will spin the tires as soon as you hammer the throttle, where the Hurricane has to build boost before it was smoke the tires or provide the big shot of power. Also, while this wasn’t the point of the exercise, it was pretty impressive how well the Ram 1500 handled the autocross course, both in steering and braking.
Next up, the towing exercise had a Hemi-powered 2026 Ram 1500 hooked to an open trailer that was carrying a flawless 1979 Lil Red Express pickup. This loads weighs 6,100 (including the trailer), which is well below the maximum towing capacity of the Hemi-powered Ram 1500, but this is a pretty common load in terms of weight for anyone who tows vehicles. The Hurricane tows very well, but since it requires boost to make the power needed to move the weight, you have to ask a little harder when accelerating from a stop.
On the other hand, the Hemi puts the power down right away without the same level of throttle input on the low end. The Hurricane has a decided advantage through the mid-range, but in a towing situation with lots of starts and stops, the Hemi feels like it isnt working as hard to get the load moving off of the line.
Finally, in addition to the distinct naturally aspirated V8 feel, those prospective Ram 1500 buyers who want the Hemi really want the roar of the Hemi. Thanks to the GT exhaust system that is standard on all models with the Hemi, those buyers are in luck. The 5.7-liter V8 sounds absolutely wonderful on startup, at idle and under hard throttle, but it surprisingly quiet when cruising on at highway speeds, so the lovely exhaust tone doesn’t lead to noise in the cabin that will prevent conversation with passengers.
The 2026 Ram 1500 with the 5.7-liter Hemi sounds incredible and provides the V8 punch that many buyers want, but we have to keep in mind that the Hemi option costs $1,200 over the more powerful Hurricane. When buyers head to dealerships, they will have the opportunity to experience both engines side-by-side and decide whether the sweet sound is worth the extra cost.
